Charity efforts abound

With the holiday season quickly approaching, the spirit is already in full swing with projects to help those in the community in need of assistance.

Projects range from helping provide food for the less fortunate to providing clothing and household supplies to those in need.

Friends Feeding Friends

Lowes Food began its 10th annual food drive Nov. 3, which will end on Dec. 31. The second largest food drive conducted for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest North Carolina, this year’s goal is 650,000 pounds of food.

Those interested in contributing to the cause may donate food in the blue barrels that are located at the front of the grocery store. The most needed items are fruits, vegetables, stews, canned tuna, meats, soups, Hamburger Helper, Tuna Helper, boxed rice or pasta, macaroni and cheese and dry cereal. To kick off the drive, General Mills donated $20,000 worth of products.

Other ways that consumers may contribute to the drive are by donating their S&H greenpoints to the cause, or by making cash donations.

The store is also selling a children’s book, “Dewey Doo-it Feeds a Friend,” which can be used to explain to children the importance of helping others when “Dewey” finds his friend is too hungry and tired to play. Proceeds from the book sales will go to the Second Harvest food banks that take part in Friends Feeding Friends.

Local Lowes Foods Manager Kenneth Brinegar stated that this year, the county goal is 30,000 pounds.

“All the Alleghany County schools are involved this year,” Brinegar said. “There will be contests among the classes in the schools. At the high school, each class will be against each other, while the seventh and eighth graders will be pushing to make it happen at the elementary schools.”

Those in the community can also contribute their S&H greenpoints to the drive.

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